METHUEN — Students at Presentation of Mary Academy enrolled in honors French joined some 100,000 students across the country participating in Le Grand Concours, a national exam given by the American Association of Teachers of French.
They ranked high on the exam, which was given in February.
Megan France, 16, of Groveland, scored the best, ranking in the top 1 percent nationally.
Other PMA notable scorers were: Leah August, 15, of Groveland, top 8 percent; Lindsey Gwynne, 17, West Boxford, top 10 percent; Nicole Ouellette, 16, of Chester, N.H., top 4 percent, Camille Serelus, 15, of Methuen, top 8 percent, Janette Myette, 17, of Haverhill, top 10 percent.
"I am very proud of all of our students, and it is great that some of them do so well that they are nationally ranked and recognized," said French teacher Olga Kostousova, in a statement. "It is a great achievement."
PMA wins silver, bronze in Spanish competition
METHUEN — Students at Presentation of Mary Academy enrolled in honors Spanish joined some 115,000 students across the country participating in the National Spanish Exam, given by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.
Historically, PMA students have performed exceptionally well on the exam, given in February.
This year, they earned one silver and five bronze medals, and 10 honorable mentions.
The silver medal achiever was Kara Watson, 16, of Lowell, who scored an 82 percent among all test takers.
Bronze medal winners were: Emily Jarmolowicz, 17, of Amesbury; Alexandra Tikellis, 17, of Methuen; Devon Smolak, 16, of North Andover; Maura Pinard, 16, of Haverhill; and Gina Jimenez, 15, of Lawrence.
Honorable mentions went to: Moriah Cobbett, 18, of Lawrence; Katherine Viscosi, 17, of Methuen; Stefaney Stella, 16, of Lawrence; Margaret McDonough, 17, of Andover; Whitney Pierre, 17, of Lawrence; Danielle Riccardi, 16, of Methuen; Rebecca Moscariello, 15, of Bradford; Julia Splaine, 16, of Merrimac; Meaghan Sullivan, 15, of North Andover; and Haley Wallace, 15, of Plaistow, N.H.
Sandown Lions seek donations for their yard sale June 20
SANDOWN — The Sandown Lions are ready to help you clean up. The Lions are seeking donations for the 15th annual Yard Sale and Flea Market on June 20.
The event, which will be held rain or shine, will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sandown Town Hall.
Call Kathi Soule at 974-0547 to donate items. Pickup can be arranged. The Lions can't accept computers, TVs or clothing.
Knights of Columbus host blood drive at St. Anne Church
HAMPSTEAD — An American Red Cross blood drive will be at St. Anne Church, 26 Emerson Ave., on Friday.
The blood drive, sponsored by Knights of Columbus No. 9058, is from 2 to 5 p.m. Donors will receive a Red Cross/Red Sox T-shirt.
For details, call 1-800-262-2660 or visit www.newenglandblood.org/nh.
Holy Family cancer center scores at top in accreditation
METHUEN — The William L. Lane Cancer Center Caritas at Holy Family Hospital received its three-year accreditation with the highest rating by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer.
"It is a tribute to the Holy Family Cancer Center team's efforts and expertise to have received this level of distinction by the American College of Surgeons," hospital president and CEO Lester P. Schindel said. "Our patients are so fortunate to have the unique advantage of cutting-edge technology and equipment, renowned physicians and experts in their respective fields, and a team of caregivers who are as skillful as they are compassionate - all right in their own community,"
Holy Family is among 19 hospitals in Massachusetts, and one of only four north of Boston, to achieve this level of commendation, the hospital noted.
The Cancer Center recently installed a new TrilogyâÑ¢ Stereotactic System, advanced radiation equipment from Varian Medical Systems for treating cancer and neurological lesions. It is among the first in the region to acquire the technology.
The accreditation ensures that patients have access to comprehensive care, state-of-the-art services and equipment.
Holy Family Hospital serves 20 communities in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire.
